Site Basic Tutorials and FAQ's
HOW TO: Give Proper Credit for use of Element, etc.
By Shelleyrae Cusbert
Mar 6, 2005, 14:12

By and © 2004 Shelleyrae Cusbert

DOWNLOAD PRINT PDF VERSION HERE.

Providing proper credit to the artisans whose work is used in a layout is important to Scrapbook-Bytes. The people who freely contribute or provide items for purchase have a right to be recognized as the creator of the work.


When you upload your layout to Scrapbook-Bytes gallery, there is space to add credit to the information about the layout.

It is good practice to credit any work or element where it contains work not created solely by you. If you do not know the source of an element you have used then you may include a statement such as Element name _downloaded from the internet or Element Name _source unknown.

DO NOT CLAIM ANY WORK AS YOURS THAT IS NOT OF YOUR OWN MAKING, this includes failing to give appropriate credit. Copyright remains with the creator of the original element no matter what changes you may make to the file.

Carefully read any Terms of Use (TOU), EULA, README or copyright notices associated with any downloaded files or the source product to ensure that your use of the element is not in conflict with the artists permissions for use.

The tables below are examples of appropriate ways to credit your sources.



*NO LINKS PERMITTED

This means while the Site Name can be listed it should in no way directly link to the source of the product. If you want to find the element etc for your own use then either use a search engine or Private Message the creator of the layout for more information.

(From the site Terms of Use Agreement)
You will not use our site / gallery / message board / forum for commercial use. We do permit linking in the www area in your profile (through the control panel of the message board) and in your signatures on the web site; but blatant personal ads to any site - whether it is personal or private or commercial (this would entail frequent pushing of a site or sites on a regular basis) are not permitted at Scrapbook-Bytes.com…

For more information on related TOU Statement information:
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/index.php?categoryid=47

Finding Credit Information
When you download an element it will often be in zip form. The zipped folder may be named for the artist and the source of the file. Once the files are extracted from the zip file, each will often be named with the artist, source and a description of the element. Inside a folder may also be a README file, usually in txt format. The README file usually lists the artist, source and credits for the elements. It is a good idea to keep the original file name so that the creator details are preserved and keep the element within the same folder as the README file. Right clicking on the file and choosing properties of a file may also give you information about the file's source. You may also be able to add details to this section to identify the file.

How to keep track of credit details.

There are many ways of tracking credit details for a layout. The following ideas may help you to devise a system that works for you.
* Create a master list for your elements folder and or sub folders and add the name and details of each element you download to it as reference.

* Create a TXT file for each layout, or one document, and add details about the layout and the fonts, elements etc to it as you create or complete each one.

* Check your program for a notepad function and add the details as you work.

*Organize your folders by download or source location.

* Organize your elements with an image organization software and tag with details or keywords.